Tennessee Eligibility Verification for Entitlements Act (EVEA)

OVERVIEW

This act (TCA 4-58-101 et seq.) was passed by the Tennessee legislature in 2012 and is effective for all students applying for admission for terms beginning Spring 2013 and later. The EVEA requires state public institutions of higher education to verify that persons seeking a “state public benefit” are either a “United States citizen” or “lawfully present” in the United States.

The term “state benefit” includes in-state tuition, lottery scholarship, academic scholarship, common market, or any other form of tuition assistance or waiver funded with state-appropriated dollars. State benefit does not include tuition assistance funded privately, such as a scholarship from the institution’s foundation or a privately endowed scholarship.

This act in no way affects your admissibility to Columbia State Community College and only affects your fees to attend Columbia State Community College.

“Deferred action” status does not satisfy the requirement of “lawful presence” under federal or state law. Individuals in “deferred action” status are not eligible for state benefits.

a valid unexpired Foreign Passport with valid visa in a category that permits students at an institution of higher education

any other document determined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to be acceptable through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program created pursuant to the federal immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

One of the following documents together with avalid, governmental issued picture ID including a regular driver license, temporary driver license, government issued DL/ID card from any U.S. state, Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766)

VERIFICATION DOCUMENTATION NOT NEEDED

Applicants are not required to submit verification documentation to Columbia State if:

You have not graduated from high school and are under 18 and are applying as dual enrollment students or academically talented/gifted students

You are employed by Columbia State and have had their lawful presence verified through the federal E-Verify program (valid I-9 on file with Columbia State)

Lawful presence has been verified through the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) (e.g. J-1 and F-1 student visa holders)

You are not interested in receiving a state benefit

Upon receipt of final verification that indicates that an applicant is not a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully present in the U.S., Columbia State Community College must terminate any recurring benefit. Columbia State Community College must also notify the TN Office of the General Counsel of any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation.